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It’s become very cold in NSW and the ACT this last month as Winter really sets in. It’s even colder for the thousands of people, especially families, who are currently homeless.
The leading cause of homelessness in NSW is domestic violence (24%) forcing mainly women and children to flee their homes to find refuge. Brook Stewart from Kingsway Community Church, facilitates a crisis centre called Platform Nine in the Sutherland Shire, that provides a safe temporary home for women and children escaping domestic violence. Platform Nine’s mission is to invite people into a place where they belong and where purpose can again be discovered. Their goal is to provide a platform where people are connected and empowered and where the discovery of a new life is made possible. Platform Nine provides a place to stay for up to 3 months, a community of people to care and support and a pathway to assist in preparing for the future. Platform Nine is more than just a bed, it’s a place to belong.
Brook shares, “We have provided crises and temporary accommodation for 289 people in the past 12 months with an overall 75% success rate of finding more long term housing solutions. For those in crisis accommodation our success rate is 97%. It costs us about $1,800 per person per year to provide basic food, accommodation, bedding, toiletries etc and support staff including case management for rehousing. That’s about $35 per person per week.”
Please give generously to this year’s Winter Appeal to enable important ministries such as Platform 9 to continue.
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